Compact Flash Reader Needed: Rummaging through some boxed storage and found a couple of Microdrive CF Type II cards and an adapter. These cards likely have content that is around 15...

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Compact Flash Reader Needed

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Mar 12, 2022 07:52:37 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

Rummaging through some boxed storage and found a couple of Microdrive CF Type II cards and an adapter. These cards likely have content that is around 15 years old. Now I'm stuck as I don't have a reader that will accept the 68 pin adapter. If you know of an appropriate reader I would appreciate your assistance.

(Download)

Mar 12, 2022 08:07:02 #

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/IBM-Microdrive-CompactFlash-Card-Adapter/dp/B00006B8PJ
Mark

Mar 12, 2022 08:24:53 #

SonyA580 Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer

Can you put the cards in a camera and hook the camera directly to your computer?

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Mar 12, 2022 10:26:12 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

markngolf wrote:

How about this one?

https://www.amazon.com/IBM-Microdrive-CompactFlash-Card-Adapter/dp/B00006B8PJ
Mark

Thanks, Mark. The image I posted is the CF+ II card and the adapter...what I need is a reader thqt will accept the 68 pin adapter to get the images to the computer.

Mar 12, 2022 10:30:35 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

SonyA580 wrote:

Can you put the cards in a camera and hook the camera directly to your computer?

Logic would go that route, Sony850. But CF cards are 3.3mm and the CF+ Type II cards are 5mm which is a dealbreaker for the logic. I don't know if a reader is available any longer, which is the basis of my query trying to find one.

Mar 12, 2022 10:30:36 #

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Chance Logan wrote:

Thanks, Mark. The image I posted is the CF+ II card and the adapter...what I need is a reader thqt will accept the 68 pin adapter to get the images to the computer.

Sorry my suggestion is not the compatible one.
Good luck in finding one. Maybe call or chat with B&H Photo? Not today - closed
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Mark

Mar 12, 2022 10:32:42 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

markngolf wrote:

Sorry my suggestion is not the compatible one.
Good luck in finding one. Maybe call or chat with B&H Photo? Not today - closed
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Mark

Yup, I forgot they are closed Sat and tried earlier. Also reached out to Hitachi to effect a response but none yet. Appreciate the effort to help.

Mar 13, 2022 07:35:40 #

MrPhotog

try Walmart (of all places). they seem to be closing them out, but these are available online.

I think what you need is the 68 pin pcmcia adapter to a usb, so you can just plug it into your computer.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Usb-2-0-To-68-Pin-Ata-Pcmcia-Flash-Disk-Memory-Card-Reader-Adapter-Converter/387000544

Mar 13, 2022 09:58:08 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

MrPhotog wrote:

Perfect! Thank you, MrPhotog. Checked Amazon & eBay with your info and Walmart was also the lowest price...much appreciated.

Mar 13, 2022 15:26:40 #

redturtle

My understanding is that the microdrives had a standard CF2 interface. Should work in standard reader. Don't use your PCMCIA adapter, just plug the microdrive into a CF reader.

Mar 13, 2022 19:18:58 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

redturtle wrote:

My understanding is that the microdrives had a standard CF2 interface. Should work in standard reader. Don't use your PCMCIA adapter, just plug the microdrive into a CF reader.

Appreciate your input, redturtle. Unfortunately it's like the square peg into a round hole dilemma. The microdrive CF is 5mm whereas the card reader slot will accept 3.3mm...just won't fit.

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Mar 13, 2022 19:39:49 #

MrPhotog

redturtle wrote:

My understanding is that the microdrives had a standard CF2 interface. Should work in standard reader. Don't use your PCMCIA adapter, just plug the microdrive into a CF reader.

I suspect you are right, and the compact drive itself could be inserted directly into a CF2 slot. In this case, it appears it is going into an adapter that lets it be read by a pcmcia connection. I have no idea why.

But they still make sockets for pcmcia devices, so if someone wants to use that, I think they are entitled to play with it. Even if it is way, way, obsolete. Heck some of us like to play with obsolete film and even very obsolete wet plates. 😎

Mar 13, 2022 21:13:07 #

fetzler Loc: North West PA

This should be able to read your CF cards and interface to the computer via USB.

https://www.amazon.com/SmartQ-C368-Multi-Card-Compatible-Supports/dp/B06Y1G18KS/ref=dp_fod_2?pd_rd_i=B06Y1G18KS&th=1

Mar 14, 2022 00:43:07 #

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Chance Logan wrote:

Something tells me you need ONLY a plain old type 2 CF Card reader for just the Microdrive itself. The PC Card Adapter was for laptops with a PC Card slot. I had one once, in the early 2000s, I think. It truly sucked as an interface device. It was a problem waiting to happen! Every time the OS was updated, the driver software broke. The technology was very short-lived.

If you can find a plain old USB 3 CF Card reader, try the drive in it.

Search Amazon for a 'cf type 2 card reader' and you should find plenty of choices.

Mar 14, 2022 06:46:41 #

Chance Logan Loc: New England

burkphoto wrote:

Something tells me you need ONLY a plain old type ... (show quote)

Thank you, Bill. Will search.

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